Llandudno Junction flooding defences are holding firm

DEFENCES stopped Llandudno Junction flooding four times last month, it has been revealed.

New data from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) shows in the period between December 10-26 defences in the town were called into action four times, and environment chiefs say without the scheme the area would have flooded on each occasion.

Rainfall gauges at Betws y Coed showed rainfall levels were at, or very close to, what is described as a 1 in 100 year rainfall and the Conwy and Elwy rivers reached their second highest levels on record.

Jeremy Parr, flood and operational risk manager for NRW, said: “This data demonstrates what a challenging situation we all faced in December.

“Saturated ground conditions meant that rivers rose very quickly in response to the rainfall and defences successfully protected homes in many communities across Wales.

“While the sustained rainfall over 16 days is described as being ‘one in 100 years’ that does not mean it can’t happen again in the future.

"The scheme at Llandudno Junction operated four times during this period. Without the scheme, the area would have flooded on each occasion.

“The immediate threat may have passed for the time being. However, I’d strongly urge people to check their flood risk by visiting NRW’s website, register for our free flood warning service if they are at risk, and create a plan so they are ready.”

The Llandudno Junction scheme on the Afon Wydden, completed in 1996, and which was upgraded in 2012, provides added protection to 200 properties from both fluvial and tidal flood.

Other parts of Conwy county did not escape the flooding as the region endured power cuts, closed roads and disruption to rail services over the festive period.

In Colwyn Bay, flooding caused part of a road to slip into the stream at The Dingle and Llanfairfechan Town Hall was opened as a makeshift shelter for those cut off by flooding on the A55.